Introduction
I’m going to give you the inside scoop on the thrilling ride of planning your wedding and getting married in the U.S. I wrote this article to give you some general guidance to help you reach your goals while planning your wedding. Remember, there are many variables that can affect the process of getting married in the U.S. These include the laws of individual states and even factors beyond your control. So, can you handle it?!
Understand Legal Requirements for Marriage in the U.S.
Are you excited to get married? Many people don’t know of the legalities involved with planning a wedding. This post is intended to be a basic guide to assist you with planning your wedding.
-
Age Requirements: If you are 16 years old and wish to get married you will need your parents consent and in some cases and regions the consent of a judge. Interestingly 300,000 minors were legally married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018.
-
Residency Criteria: There are region-specific requirements for getting married in your local area. Generally, applicants are required to have been resident(s) for a certain amount of time prior to application for a wedding permit.
-
A marriage license is required in every state and must be picked up prior to the actual wedding ceremony. Each state has its own time frame for how long a marriage license is valid in that state. For example, in the state of Delaware a couple can get married within 24 hours of picking up their license. In the state of Florida a couple can get married without any waiting period if they take a premarital course together.
-
Identification: In most states, the application for a marriage license will require identification of both parties applying for the license. A current driver license or current U.S. passport is typically acceptable. Some states require a copy of one or more of the parties’ identification as proof of their current domicile in the applying state.
-
Previous Unions: Are you and your future husband/wife required to show proof that all previous unions have been terminated? For example, will you need to bring a copy of your ex-spouse’s death certificate or a copy of your divorce decree?
-
Blood Tests: In many states blood tests to determine if an applicant has a venereal disease are no longer required. However, there are a few states that still require such tests. You should check with the local wedding license office before you get married.
Understanding the legal requirements for your wedding can save a lot of stress and ensure that your special day is recognized in your new country of residence.
Obtain Necessary Documents and Marriage License
So you are looking to get married in North Carolina? If you want to get married in North Carolina you are required to obtain a wedding permit, for your union, also referred to as a wedding license, which often seems to be added unnecessary paperwork in planning your perfect wedding.
-
Find State Requirements for Wedding Permit - For information regarding the requirements, cost, and time needed for issuing of marriage licenses for weddings in North Carolina, see the state government website here.
-
Required Documents for Marriage: These are required for application for a marriage license online but will be required to present to the local clerk where you apply for the license in person. You will need to have the following original documents for yourself and future spouse:
- Valid photo identification such as a driver's license, or a valid U.S. Passport, etc.
- Proof of social security or ITIN number
- Certified birth record if you are aged 16-20
- Divorce decree (or the death certificate of the former spouse) if previously married. A certified copy of the divorce decree is required if the divorce was finalized within the last 30 days.
-
Complete the Marriage License Application: This application can be completed online through the county website where you intend to apply for your marriage license, or by walking into a Register of Deeds office in person where the application will be completed for you. All information must be accurate on the marriage license application.
-
Payment for Permit - Cost for a Wedding Permit for a marriage license is $60. The method of payment is usually specified by the county where the application is being filed. Check prior to application for acceptable forms of payment.
-
Schedule an Appointment: Many of the Register of Deeds offices do not require an appointment to process the application for a marriage license. However, the hours of operation for processing applications may be different from normal business hours. It is best to call and confirm the hours of operation for the Register of Deeds office where you plan to apply for the marriage license.
-
Pick Up Your Marriage Certificate: After your marriage license application has been approved, you and your future spouse can pick up your marriage certificate. Your marriage license is good for 60 days from the date it was issued. Remember that you will need two witnesses (18 years of age or older) to attend your wedding with you and both you and your future spouse must be present to pick up your marriage license.
One last thing… Try to make your marriage license process as easy as possible and know the steps to get a marriage license in North Carolina so you can get married and continue with your wedding plans.
Plan Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception
Planning a wedding can be one of the most difficult and stressful events in one’s life. There are so many aspects to consider and so many decisions that have to be made before the wedding takes place. The following is a complete and extremely detailed guide to planning your wedding.
-
Determine Your Ceremony Budget: Set a specific amount for your ceremony and establish guidelines for your other wedding expenses (such as venue, catering, decorations, etc.). The average cost of a marriage ceremony in North Carolina for 2026 is $36,000. Venue costs averaged $8,573.
-
Decide on a date and time for your wedding, and pick a location to hold the ceremony and the reception after the wedding. There are many different wedding locations. In most locations, there is only one wedding per day. The wedding location typically holds ceremonies and receptions for a certain number of people. In addition to the ceremonies and events, most wedding locations have many different amenities to choose from, to fit any style or budget.
-
Choose who will perform your ceremony - Will it be a pastor, judge, or other authorized personnel such as a friend who is ordained? You will need to make sure this individual is available on your wedding date.
-
Plan the Ceremony: Vows will be exchanged and the two people will become married. Readings, music and other personal elements can be included as well. This can include cultural or family traditions that are important to each of the partners.
-
Plan the Reception: Develop a plan for your guests once you have exchanged your vows. This includes arrangements for the guests’ meal, the seating arrangements and plans for entertainment for the guests at your wedding. If necessary, hire an event planner to assist you with all of the details needed to plan and coordinate your wedding.
-
Notify your family and friends of your wedding plans. You will need to mail out invitations and include information on how your guests can RSVP for your wedding. This will help ensure that you have an accurate head count for your wedding, as well as for the seating at your reception.
-
Finalize Details: Meet with all your wedding vendors (caterer, decorator, music, etc.) and discuss all of the details for your special day. Create a timeline of all the events that will take place during your wedding.
The process of planning a marriage ceremony can be stressful but well worth it in the end. There are many beautiful memories that will be created with your friends and family through the process of wedding planning.
Manage Post-Marriage Legal and Personal Changes
This post is to outline some of the many things that newlyweds can expect after marriage. It could take a while to get your new life together after your single life has ended.
-
Change of Name: It is up to you whether you choose to change your last name after marriage. You will need a certified copy of your union certificate to get new documents such as a driver’s license with your new name on. Many women, in same-sex and opposite-sex marriages, change their last name after marriage. A whopping 79% of women do this after marriage.
-
Update Identification: Here is how you can get your newly married name on your identification documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, and passport. Each agency has their own process and steps to update a name. It’s free to update your Social Security card and it only takes 10-14 days for processing and delivery by mail. Your state probably participates in online processing of a name change application for newly married women through the clerk’s office where you got married.
-
Financial Planning: Once you get married as a newlywed couple you need to figure out how you will be managing your finances together. Setting up a joint checking account and even meeting with a financial planner to come up with a budget together and ways to track your newlywed expenses will help you manage your money jointly as a married couple.
-
Health Insurance: Who is going to get health care? Add your spouse to your current health insurance or research other health care options for you both as a couple. Your marriage certificate and identification will be required to add your spouse to your current coverage.
-
Estate Planning: Update your will, living trust, and any other estate planning documents to include your newly married spouse. Make sure your wishes regarding how you want your property to be distributed are clear.
-
Immigration Status: Will you and your spouse be in this country legally? If one of you is not a citizen then your spouse will most likely need to apply for a marriage-based green card and go through the process to obtain legal status in this country. It’s wise to seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney in your state to learn about the marriage based green card application process and the necessary documents required to apply.
Newlywed? We can help you. In order to get your new life together you have to end your single life first.
Conclusion
The concept of marriage can be very overwhelming to many newlywed couples. The process of getting married can be very complex with a lot of legal requirements that newlywed couples must comply with. In this article we will go through the basic steps that are required to get a marriage license, to have a wedding ceremony and how people change their status after getting married.
This post was meant to provide further information on the process of obtaining a marriage license, planning your wedding ceremony and reception, and the changes legal and personal that occur after you get married. We hope this gives our visitors a better idea of what planning a wedding and marriage entails and how they can apply that to their own lives while being focused on their love for each other.
Starting a new life with your partner should be a pleasant experience and not give you any worries or stress. We can provide you with all the help and assistance you need to complete the wedding requirements and related paperwork and deal with any other legal issues that may affect you as a result of your immigration status. The experienced staff at the Vasquez Law Firm will celebrate your love story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age requirements for getting married in the U.S.?
If you are 16 years old, you will need parental consent and, in some cases, the consent of a judge to get married.
Are there residency requirements for marriage in the U.S.?
Yes, there are region-specific residency requirements that generally require applicants to have been residents for a certain amount of time before applying for a wedding permit.
Is a marriage license required to get married in the U.S.?
Yes, a marriage license is required in every state and must be obtained prior to the wedding ceremony. Each state has its own validity period for the marriage license.
How long is a marriage license valid in different states?
The validity period varies by state. For example, in Delaware, a couple can get married within 24 hours of picking up their license, while in Florida, there is no waiting period if the couple takes a premarital course together.
What identification is needed to apply for a marriage license?
Most states require identification for both parties, typically a current driver's license or U.S. passport. Some states may also require proof of domicile in the applying state.
Do I need to provide proof of previous unions when applying for a marriage license?
Yes, you may need to show proof that all previous unions have been terminated, such as a copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate of a former spouse.
Are blood tests required for marriage in the U.S.?
Blood tests to check for venereal diseases are no longer required in many states, but a few states still mandate such tests. It is advisable to check with the local wedding license office for specific requirements.
Why is it important to understand the legal requirements for marriage?
Understanding the legal requirements can help avoid stress and ensure that your marriage is recognized in your new country of residence.
List of Sources
- Understand Legal Requirements for Marriage in the U.S.
- U.S. child marriage laws: individual state legislation (https://freedomunited.org/u-s-child-mariage-laws-individual-state-legislation)
- New report highlights legal loopholes that permit child marriage in 34 US states (https://equalitynow.org/news/press-releases/new-report-highlights-legal-loopholes-that-permit-child-marriage-in-34-us-states)
- What would it take to end child marriage? There's a new federal push to limit it. (https://19thnews.org/2026/07/congress-child-marriage-bill)
- Marriage age in the United States - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_age_in_the_United_States)
- Marriage License Requirements by State (https://nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/chart-state-marriage-license-blood-29019.html)
- Obtain Necessary Documents and Marriage License
- Marriage | North Carolina Judicial Branch (https://nccourts.gov/help-topics/divorce-and-marriage/marriage)
- How to Get Your North Carolina Marriage License (2026 Guide) (https://cabinheaven.com/post/getting-your-north-carolina-marriage-license)
- Apply for a Marriage License (https://wake.gov/departments-government/register-deeds/apply-marriage-license)
- How to Get Married in North Carolina (2026) - DocDraft (https://docdraft.ai/legal-guides/getting-married/north-carolina?srsltid=AfmBOorfolzC9mlv4yLh3kYvRxMKvSCHsBNo4Xkokbzfmy0J6PQWvh72)
- Plan Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception
- Your Complete Wedding Planning Timeline | Heart of NC Weddings (https://heartofncweddings.com/follow-this-timeline-for-stress-free-planning)
- Wedding Experts Share Trends and Tips for 2026 & Beyond (https://insideweddings.com/news/planning-design/trends-planning-tips-2026-weddings-beyond/55397)
- 9 Wedding Trends For 2026 That Are Redefining Celebrations (https://marrymetampabay.com/wedding-trends)
- 2026 Wedding Planning Tips & Trends (https://americanpartyrentals.com/wedding-planning-tips-nc-triangle)
- Average Cost of Weddings in 2026: (A Real Numbers Guide) - Zola Expert Wedding Advice (https://zola.com/expert-advice/whats-the-average-cost-of-a-wedding)
- Manage Post-Marriage Legal and Personal Changes
- How to Legally Change Your Name After Marriage (2026) (https://consumershield.com/articles/change-name-after-marriage)
- 2026 Name Change After Marriage Checklist (Step-by-Step) (https://cadenzacounseling.org/2026-name-change-after-marriage-checklist-step-by-step?srsltid=AfmBOopM9E66UizKTqxt1cWF9Dj1zZaCaEWmehHhrDkPzx-pIq4O5kat)
- Just Married? Need to Change your Name? (https://ssa.gov/news/en/advocates/2024-08-08.html)
- Name Change After Marriage: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide (https://newlynamed.com/blogs/guides/how-to-change-your-name-after-marriage?srsltid=AfmBOoos7OX1jUz847cS50VCfD_UKvEBoRDRI7ql4hrjE-6RyoWM1QGB)
- Newlywed Name Change Guide | Modera (https://moderawealth.com/newlywed-name-change-step-by-step-guide-to-updating-your-last-name)
